The ritual of offering prasad during Hindu festivals is a deeply rooted religious and cultural tradition.
Chhath Puja, an ancient Hindu festival, is observed to worship Surya, the sun god, and his cosmic consort, Chhathi Maiya. The festival is widely celebrated across Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and some regions of Nepal as well. The four-day festival is marked six days after Diwali, and consists of a lot of rituals. This year, it would be celebrated from November 5 to November 8 based on the religious tithi.
To say the least, the main part of the Chhath Puja celebrations remain the offerings given to the sun god and his consort, in the form of prasad. Since the festival is all about devotion and innocence, offering prasad remains a selfless act, which is considered to be a religious and cultural tradition in Hinduism. And during Chhath Puja, several offerings are made to Chhathi Maiya and the sun god. Check out 7 traditional food items that are offered during the festival:
1. Thekua: The dish of Thekua is essential part of Chhath Puja customs. It is made of clarified butter (ghee), whole wheat flour, jaggery (sugar), and occasionally grated coconut. Together, these ingredients are combined and it has a rich flavour and aroma to it. Once prepared, it is then given to family members and devotees as prasad.
2. Kaddu Bhat: On the first day of Chhath Puja, devotees prepare the dish of kaddu bhat, which is a satvik kaddu curry (pumpkin curry) made along with rice and some pulses. It is used as a bhog in the afternoon during the ritual known as “Nahay Khaye”.
3. Pirukiya: Similar to Gujiyas from North India, Pirukiya is nothing but a sweet dumpling deep fried in ghee, and then offered during Chhath Puja. They are made of wheat flour and have a stuffing of coconut, sugar or jaggery, and plenty of chopped nuts. Unlike Gujiya, it is not dipped in sugar syrup, and remains dry.
4. Lauki Dal: The lentil-based dish has bottle gourd, or lauki, as a main ingredient, and offers a distinct texture of bottle gourd with lentils. It is then offered with rotis or hot rice during Chhath Puja.
5. Kheer-Puri: The delicious blend of Kheer, a rice pudding, and Puri, is quite a popular dish offered to Chhathi Maa during Chhath Puja.
6. Chawal Ke Laddoo: A mix of rice flour, jaggery or sugar, and ghee are blended together to make rice Ladoo, also called Chawal Ke Laddoo or Kachwaniya in Bihar. During celebrations, and festivals, these laddoos are often made, and are slightly sweet in taste.
7. Chana Sprouts: Referred to as chana sprouts, they are used in a variety of dishes. During Chhath Puja, these sprouts are offered to the gods as well. They are not only nutritious but also sattvik in nature and pure.
